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PARAGON MOVING TO IHFC IN OCTOBER
June 27, 2008

HIGH POINT, NC – The International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) today announced the addition of three new tenants to the IHFC as Paragon and Propac Images, both of Albertville, AL and Bailey Street of Arlington, TX, have signed on as building tenants.

Together the three companies have leased 16,000 square feet of space on the 2nd Floor of the IHFC. The showrooms will be open for the upcoming October market. “Paragon and Propac in wall decor and Bailey Street in accent furniture are certainly industry leaders in their product categories. We are pleased to add them to our dynamic list of accessory tenants” said Lee Hershberg, VP of Accessory Leasing. “IHFC remains the number one buyer destination in the High Point Market, and the addition of these three brands reinforces our position as the leader in the marketplace.”

Lendell Glassco, Paragon President, stated, “We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to get back into the IHFC as an anchor tenant in this great location. High Point has been a big part of our success through the years and we look forward to enhancing our presence at this market”.

“We are extremely excited to be opening our new showroom in IHFC,” explained Greg Waylock, President of Bailey Street.

Propac Images President, Vince Glassco noted, “Being in the IHFC building in such a prime location is exciting. This is a positive move and will allow us to provide our customers with a great location to view our quality products. We look forward to building on our success with the High Point Market.”

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PARAGON ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS
June 2, 2008

Paragon recently promoted five employees to Vice-Presidential posts within the company. Kathy Opolka, who has worked since 2001 in various sales positions, has been promoted to VP Business Development. Opolka continues to be responsible for sales management in all market segments of the company as well as the company’s 120 sales representatives. Fred Barhorst was promoted from Controller to VP Finance, replacing Dan Teal who retired after 24 years of service in November 2007. Barhorst has been with Paragon 17 years and is responsible for all aspects of finance for Paragon. Ricky King was promoted to VP Global Supply & Costing. King has been with Paragon since 1994. He is responsible for developing wholesale costs and oversees Paragon material purchases and logistics around the globe. Johnny Masters, who has led IT services for 11 years, was appointed to VP Information Technology. Ralph King, who was hired in 2007 as Paragon’s Director of Operations has been promoted to VP Manufacturing Operations. King is responsible for all scheduling, manufacturing, and customer service functions.

“These are valued employees who have not only performed their job responsibilities with excellence, but they have demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to help Paragon build our brand and continue to be an industry leader,” said Lendell Glassco, Paragon President.

Joey Duncan, who recently celebrated his silver anniversary with Paragon, is enjoying a reduced work schedule and serves as VP Product Development. Malanta Glassco-Knowles, who was Vice President of Marketing, has been named VP Design & Marketing. “Joey and I have worked together 25 years at Paragon,” said Malanta Glassco-Knowles. “We, along with our designers, will continue to give our best efforts to make sure that our product is beautiful and will sell for our customers.”

The transition to this new management team has been underway for almost two years. “It is fortunate that with our parents, Wendell and Bonnie Glassco, becoming less involved in the family business, Dan’s retirement, and Joey’s desire to work less and focus on developing product, we had plenty of time to prepare for the future. As second generation owners, Malanta and I, along with our brother Vince Glassco who serves as Propac President, look forward to great things ahead with help from this newly empowered executive management team”.

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PARAGON LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE LINE OF CHILDREN’S ART
May 29, 2008

Paragon will launch a new line of children’s art at the summer markets. The collection features 20-skus by Georgia artist Vikki Weigel. All of the pieces are exclusive hand-painted multi-originals and will come with an “art necklace” to match the print.

“These pieces are simply wonderful,” said Malanta Glassco-Knowles, Vice President of Marketing for Paragon. “Most of the pieces feature gallery style framing and are not glassed so they are perfect for children’s rooms.”

According to Knowles, these pieces are not only for children, but for the young at heart, or anyone wanting to add a touch of whimsy to their décor. “The colors in Vikki’s art are so vibrant and lively, they instantly give a room a refreshing breath,” said Knowles. “I see these pieces going in kitchens, placed in bookshelves and other “nooks” throughout a home for an unexpected touch of whimsy and fun.”

Knowles said the art necklaces are especially fun. In addition to including one with each piece, the necklaces will be available for purchase separately.

“The line has just turned out fabulously,” said Weigel. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with Paragon. They are an industry leader and terrific to work with.”

Weigel looks to her childhood for inspiration for her art. “My art is inspired by childhood memories and my life growing up in the south,” said Weigel. “The “make-believe” characters that live in my thoughts and my head come to life in vivid and energetic colors on my canvas.”

Weigel is a self-taught artist with a very bright color palette and whimsical childlike spirit. She does a variety of custom works from portraits and murals to hand-painted furniture, working with both interior designers and individual clients. Weigel’s paintings have been shown and collected throughout the US, Canada, Germany and Japan.

All the pieces will be manufactured in the USA at Paragon’s Albertville, AL facility.

Weigel will be at the Southern Accessories Today showroom July 11-13, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., painting and signing prints.

You may also view Weigel’s website at www.vikkipaints.com